Nicholas Stefanov, boyfriend of 'Real Houswives' star Kelly Bensimon, started scuffle, says lawyer
BY MELISSA GRACE AND LARRY MCSHANE
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITERS
Tuesday, March 31st 2009, 1:38 PM

Lovekin/Getty
The lawyer for Kelly Killoren Bensimon (r.), who is charged with assualt, claims the boyfriend Nicholas Stefanov (l.) instigated the fight.

DelMundo for News
'Real Housewife' Bensimon outside of a Manhattan courthouse.
Blame it on the boyfriend.
The lawyer for Kelly Killoren Bensimon - one of "The Real Housewives of New York City" - says her jilted beau was responsible for the lovers' quarrel that landed the reality star in court.
"I can't believe the guy went to the police," defense attorney Ed Hayes said Tuesday. "It is very, very mean-spirited. It's not like she's in his apartment. He's in her apartment."
Hayes said there was a break-up between Bensimon and Nicholas Stefanov, followed by a scuffle in her Manhattan apartment when he refused to leave.
"It's the reverse of a jilted girlfriend," Hayes said after a brief court appearance. "He's a rejected boyfriend."
While prosecutors asked for an extension of an order of protection for Stefanov, Hayes charged the ex-boyfriend was sending Bensimon threatening e-mails.
"I'm going to make your life misery," read one of the missives cited by Hayes.
Bensimon, 40, the ex-wife of famous fashion photographer Giles Bensimon, was dressed in black from head to toe for her courtroom appearance. The case was put off until June 8.
The mother of two girls was accused of punching 30-year-old Stefanov in the face, causing lacerations below the left eye and "substantial pain," according to a complaint he filed with police.
"I'm devastated my girls and I have to go through something like this," said Bensimon, sporting a gold watch and diamond stud earrings. "They don't need to be exposed to something like this."
Bensimon, a model and editor, was confident the case would be resolved in her favor. "The only time I'll ever be here again is for jury duty," she said.
She could face up to a year behind bars if convicted.